Lighting Up

I make sure I get to the staffroom early to organise Executive voting papers. Voting's been slow at the Papanui branch; a lot of papers lazing around on staffroom tables. As this is my voting base, if voters don't get going, I won't get in. There's only so much pushing I can do and perhaps not getting in could be a blessing in disguise. I'm time poor. I'm relieving in my spare periods today and keep arriving after class has started. I need to get to the loo and I'm walking slowly. No-one perishes. I'm supposed to be catching up on marking but I don't. At lunchtime I run around organising vote counting, the school van and trying to eat something. After school Eddie pours petrol from a can into the van so I don't run out and I make it to the house to find Finlay unloading the lights I purchased 2 years ago now. They are big and I seriously question my choices. The lights looked a lot smaller in the shop. They're going to be difficult to install too. Oops. I stuff pillows and sheets in the gaps in the back door then race off to pick up the bath with windows open. My precautions keep the exhaust on the outside. Barry is waiting for me, his last job before heading to Queenstown for a golfing holiday. He works hard and, even though he told me the bath would be finished by mid September, I'm appreciative. He hasn't held me up. The bath looks amazing- Anjie and Robyn's colour scheme popping bright. Barry says there have been comments but he knew there would be an explanation. 

Back in the van I drive like a granny. I don't want any broken feet this time. It's quiet on College Ave, the school rush over. I check the Goodlands. Grant is trying to sort the internet which stopped working when the cable was recovered at the boundary on Tuesday. He's frustrated because the system is multi-layered and no-one on the inside seems to know how to solve even the simplest of issues. He agrees to help with the bath. Great, now I need only two more pairs of hands. I spot a likely candidate walking towards me in a high vis vest. He's busy but promises to come back. As luck has it a removal van pulls up. The motor is barely stopped when I bolt over. Yes, they'll help. The bath weighs a ton and as we carry it to the garage a foot drops off. No way! Not broken, they say, the bolt wasn't on properly. 

Synchronicity. The bath with falling feet. Or maybe it's me. I drive home feeling relieved I've sorted another job. The restorative fact is that people are always willing to help. You just have to ask. Kahu and I walk across the valley for dinner and a game of dominoes with the Mc Kenzies. I'm yawning and barely make it to double 0. Tired to the bone.